The Minnesota Vikings would seem to be in the market for a cornerback and a wide receiver, and they reportedly are bringing in prospects at each position for a visit.
Each prospect has character issues, though.
Minneapolis TV station KSTP reported that the Vikings are bringing in wide receiver Dorial-Green Beckham, who was dismissed from Missouri for off-field issues, and cornerback Marcus Peters, who was dismissed from Washington for issues with the coaching staff.
Cornerback appears to be a bigger need for the Vikings than wide receiver. Xavier Rhodes is an emerging talent at corner, but Minnesota could use a young starter opposite Rhodes; the current starter is Captain Munnerlyn. Peters (6-foot-0, 197 pounds) has the talent to be an NFL starter. At wide receiver, the Vikings recently acquired Mike Wallace from the Miami Dolphins, and they also have holdovers Charles Johnson, Cordarrelle Patterson and Jarius Wright. Still, Green-Beckham's upside certainly could intrigue the Vikings.
The Vikings, whose first pick is No. 11 overall, also need help at offensive tackle and guard, at linebacker and at defensive tackle. Neither Peters nor Green-Beckham (6-5, 237) would seem to be in play with the 11th pick, but both could be appealing -- if they are there -- when Minnesota picks 13th in the second round (45th overall).
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah has Green-Beckham as the No. 19 overall prospect and Peters at No. 32 in his list of the top 50 players available. "If he can stay out of trouble, he could emerge as one of the top players in this draft class," Jeremiah said of Green-Beckham. The character questions certainly are legitimate with the two prospects, and given the Adrian Peterson situation, the Vikings might feel it is wise to steer clear.
Five of the six NFL Media analysts who have done mock drafts have the Vikings selecting either a wide receiver or cornerback with the 11th pick - - but none have Minnesota picking Green-Beckham or Peters.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
